Bowling score indicator



Oct. 26, 194.

T. R. BLANDO 2,452,288

' BOWLING SCORE INDICATOR Filed Oct. 2, 1945 Inventor Patented Oct. 26 1948 W IF IT 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to amusement devices and has for its object to provide means whereby bowling players score is instantly indicated upon a score board at the players end of the alley.

Another object of my invention is to provide a visible electric signal indicating instantly the number of pins knocked over by a bowler.

A further object of this invention is to provide an electric lighting system for bowling alleys for indicating each pin knocked down and the total score at the end of a three ball play.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of my invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged seats,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a, pin, and

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram.

In the accompanying drawings as above enumerated and in the following specification, like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout and in which, l0 indicates my invention diagrammatically; H is a section of a bowling alley; I2 is an electrically lighted score board plan view of the pin at the outer end of the alley; l3, l4, l5, etc. indicate pin seats; I 6 indicates a bowling pin, and I1 is a wall upon which is mounted an electric score indicator, l8.

In the end E9 of the alley II are embedded cup-shaped members 20, 2|, 22, etc., pyramided I in the usual manner and each cup terminates at its bottom 23 in a tubular neck 24, through which project the reduced ends 25 and 26, of spaced apart conductor posts 2'! and 28, separated by insulation 29. The said cups 20, etc., are of insulating material such as rubber, plastic or the like. The insulator 29 is provided with a centrally disposed bore 30 through which slidably projects a normally raised switch pin ill, the upper end 32 of which extends above the surface of the pin seats l3, [4, etc., as located in the triangle 33. The lower end 34 of the pin 3| is pivoted to the switch arm 35 of a switch box 36. The two posts 31 and 38 extending into the box are adapted to be connected through action of switch lever arm 35, which arm is held outwardly in normally raised position by a spring within the box. A wire 39 connects post 31 with post 40 of the element 21. To post 4! of element ed with a lamp 44, on the indicator board I 8. Wire runs from the lamp to an electrical supply source, as does the wire 46 of post 38 of switch box 36. The hook up of all of the other pin seats l3, [4, etc., are identical as the hook up just outlined. I

No bulb on the board I2 will become lighted, of course, if there is a break in the several circuits 46, 41, 48, etc., and normally there are two such breaks at the pin seats l3, l4, 15, etc., and at the switch boxes 36, all of which are closed when the ten pins l6, l6, l6", etc., are set up, due to the conductor plates 49, 50, etc., set in the recesses 5| of each of the said pins, which as they are set up connect the posts 27 and 28, and

l at the same time push pin M will close the cir- 28 is connected by the end 42 of wire 43, connectcult to the switch on the posts 37! and 38, whereupon the lamps 44, 52, 53, etc., on board I2, will be lighted. This construction permits the pins to be set in position while the circuit is broken to prevent arcing and the final downward movement of the pin 3| will operate the switch 36 to establish the circuit.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when all of the pins are set up, all of the bulbs in the score indicator l2 will be lighted, but as each pin falls the lighting circuit of the pin is broken and its lamp extinguished, indicating instantly the number of pins knocked down with each roll of a ball and the total number at the end of each play.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Having now described my invention that which I claim as new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is:

In combination with a bowling alley, of a score indicator therefor including a plurality of insulated sockets embedded in said alley, spaced semicylindrical contact members in each insulated socket, insulated sleeves disposed within said contact members, a switch adjacent each socket having a switch arm connected therewith pivotally supporting a switch pin for vertical and reciprocal movement through said sleeve, a signal box, electric lights therein of a similar number to the number of said sockets, a source of electrical enadapted to seat on said spaced contact members to move said switch pin to close the switch ad jacent the socket for completing the circuits to Number said lights for illuminating the same when said 10 bowling pins are in set position.

THOMAS R. BLANDO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in. the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Becker May 5, 1896 Ganter June 12, 1900 James July 23, 1935 Abate Apr. 1, 1941 FQBE N PATENTS Country Date Germany May 14, 1912 

